Jean Williamson (Craven 1942) holds the crown as PLC’s oldest living Head Prefect. Recently celebrating her 100th birthday, Jean joined PLC East Melbourne in 1938 to attend Senior School. In her final year, she was made Head Prefect and Captain of the tennis team.

When asked to reflect on her time as a PLC girl, Jean says she wasn’t overly bothered with the curriculum at the time and laughed at the idea of being involved in languages or music, particularly singing. ‘I did enjoy Geography and English though. The teachers really knew their subjects and you felt like you really learned during their lessons.’

Jean’s real passion lay with outdoor pursuits, particularly tennis. ‘We played a lot of tennis. We had a very nice court in our backyard and we played mixed doubles on the weekend when the men could come. It was a very happy part of my life.’

Friendships are another fond memory of her time at PLC. ‘We had a lot of fun, just joking and laughing with each other. It was a good time in my life. I think the friends you make at school you often take with you throughout your life.’

After matriculating, Jean trained as a primary teacher. She taught initially at Carey Grammar School, then joined PLC as a staff member at Hethersett House where she taught for a year. ‘My first year of teaching was co-ed and I decided after that that it was much easier to teach girls than it was to teach boys!’

Jean travelled to Europe for six months and upon her return joined Clarendon College in Ballarat, where she taught for a further two years before returning to the city to teach at Lauriston Girls’ School.

Jean gave up teaching when she married Dr Rex Williamson in 1955 and moved to Geelong. The couple had two children (a son, David, and a daughter, Jenny). Jean’s family now includes seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 

Jean has remained connected to PLC throughout her long life. She was actively involved with the Geelong branch of the Old Collegians’ Association for several decades where she held the roles of President and Secretary. She keeps up to date with school news and her support over the years has also seen her become a member of the PLC Foundation. 

Jean’s mother, Ada Craven (Jarvie 1907) also attended PLC. Remarkably, she also reached 100 before passing away in 1990. 

When asked to reflect on what she would say to young alumnae today, Jean commented: ‘I think it’s a very valuable experience to have attended a school like PLC. Being an Old Collegian stands you in good stead in life.’